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Proclaiming February 2009 as “American Heart Month” and Proclaiming February 5, 2009 as “Wear Red Day in the City of Philadelphia.”
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WHEREAS, Cardiovascular disease is the nation’s leading cause of death and stroke is the third leading cause of death; and
WHEREAS, Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women over age 25; and
WHEREAS, Cardiovascular disease claims the lives of over 480,000 women each year, more than the next six most common causes of death combined; and
WHEREAS, Only 13 percent of women are aware that heart disease is their No. 1 health threat; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, the direct and indirect cost of cardiovascular disease and stroke in the United States is estimated at $403.1 billion; and
WHEREAS, One in four females and one in four males in the United States suffer from some form of cardiovascular disease; and
WHEREAS, Sixty-four percent of women who died suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms of this disease; and
WHEREAS, Stroke is the No. 3 cause of death for American women and is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability; and
WHEREAS, African-American and Mexican-American women have higher heart disease and stroke risk factors than white women of comparable socioeconomic status; and
WHEREAS, The Go Red For Women campaign is the American Heart Association’s national call to increase awareness of heart disease, the leading cause of death for women, and to inspire women to take charge of their health; and
WHEREAS, The Go Red For Women campaign has evolved into a national movement empowering women to love and save their hearts through education as well as lifestyle choices and actions designed to lower personal risk factors for cardiovascular disease; and
WHEREAS, Numerous Philadelphia landmarks will be going red in February in support of the Go Red For Women movement and American Heart Month; and
WHEREAS, The American Heart Association continues to work actively with faith--based institutions, health care providers, researchers and scientists, and public officials in an effort to educate and inform women about the importance of paying attention to their hearts and help them live longer, stronger lives by reducing their risk for cardiovascular disease; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby proclaim February 5, 2009 as Wear Red Day in the City of Philadelphia and urge all citizens to show their support for women and the fight against heart disease by commemorating this day by the wearing of the color red. By increasing awareness and empowering women to reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease, we can save thousand of lives each year.
FURTHER RESOLVED, We call upon all women to recognize the importance of the ongoing fight against heart disease and urge all women to be educated, speak with their health care provider, and be aware of the risk factors for this devastating disease and take steps to reduce their personal risk factors.
FURTHER RESOLVED, We hereby proclaim the month of February as “American Heart Month” in the City of Philadelphia. We call upon everyone in the City of Philadelphia to be aware of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors and take action to reduce their personal risk factors.
FINALLY RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the American Heart Association further evidencing the sincere sentiment and high esteem of this legislative body.
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